Hollow metal last



July 15, 1930.

C. C. PETERSON HOLLOW METAL LAST Filed July 2, 1928 Patented July 15, 1930 CHARLES C. .PETERSON, F BRIDGEPOB'I, CONNECTICUT HOLLOW METAL LAST Application filed July 2, 1928.

This invention relates to an all-metal hollow shoe last for use in the manufacture and shaping of boots and shoes and refers more particularly to that type commonly known as a divided last in which the rear section is hinged or otherwise flexibly connected to the front section for relatively vertical movement to facilitate the insertion and removal of the last into and from the boot or shoe.

to These lasts are usually made from solid blocks of well-seasoned and kiln-dried hard Wood requiring considerable time and labor not only in the seasoning and drying of the wood, but also in the turning and finishing of the last and even under the most favorable conditions these wooden lasts are always subject to warping, splintering and other deterioration, particularly after a short period of use.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an all-metal last which is lighter, stronger and more durable and, therefore, more permanent than the wooden last.

Another object is to permit the sections of the lasts to becast in sand or permanent molds or by the die casting process in such manner that they may be quickly and economically assembled and thereby to assure uniformity of shape and size and longer periods of use than has heretofore been practised.

Another object is to hinge the sections together in such manner that the outer surfaces of the hinged joints or overlapping portions will be substantially flush with the adjacent outer surfaces of the sections so as to enable the last as a whole to be placed into and removed from the boot or shoe without obstructions.

A further object is to provide resilient means for yieldingly holding the sections in normal relation and at the same time permitting the rear section to be moved vertically about a horizontal axis relatively to the front section to facilitate the entry and exit of the last into and out of the shoe.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the last will be brought out in the following description.

Serial No. 289,983.

In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation, partly insection, of a hollow metal last embodying the various features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane of line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken in the plane of line 33, Figures 1 and 2.

As illustrated, this last comprises a hollow front section --1 and a hollow rear section -2, both sections being preferably made of cast metal such as an aluminum alloy or equivalent light but strong and durable material adapted to be cast in sand or permanent molds.

The front section -1 is formed with an interior chamber -3- extending the major portion of its length and also the major portion of its width and open at its rear end only, the walls of the remaining portion of the chamber being continuous, unbroken and integral and of approximately uniform thickness throughout the major portions of their areas.

The rear section .2r is also provided with a chamber -4. extending the major portion of its length and width and open at the front, the walls of the remaining portions of the chamber being continuous and integral and of approximately uniform thickness throughout their areas.

. These sections -1 and -2- are arranged end to end to meet in approximately the vertical plane of the portion of the last corresponding to the ankle and instep of the shoe and have the opposite sides of their meeting ends pivoted to each other in a manner presently described.

That is, the meeting ends of the opposite sides of the sections -1 and -2- are provided with overlapping flanges 5 and 6 secured together in overlapping relation by a pivotal bolt 7- to permit the rear section 2 to swing vertically relatively to the section 1- as may be required when inserting and removing the last into and from a boot or shoe, the pivotal bolt -7 being disposed in a horizontal plane between the lower and upper faces of the sections -1- and -2 but preferably nearer the lower face of the instep of the last.

The flanges 5 are depressed inwardly toward each other beyond the outer side faces of the adjacent portions of the front and rear section a distance corresponding approximately to the thicknesses of the flanges 6 thereby forming recesses 8 of similar transverse depth in the outer faces of the rear end of the front section 1 and incidentally bringing the outer surfaces of the flanges -6 substantially flush or coincident with the adjacent outer surfaces of both of the sections 1 and -2 for establishing a smooth and unobstructed surface across the outer faces of the joint connecting the sections.

The rear halves of the peripheries of the flanges 6 and adjacent end walls of the recesses 8 are substantially semi-circular and concentric with the axis of the pivotal bolt 7 to permit the rear section 2 to rock vertically to and from its normal position relatively to the section 1-.

In like manner, the front halves of the peripheries of the inner flanges -5 are substantially semi-circular and concentric with the axis of the pivot -7.

The adjacent ends of the sections 1 and -2- below the pivot -7 and recess --8 are provided with substantially straight and flat abutting faces -9-- and -9'- which are in contact when the sections are in their normal operative positions for limiting the rearward and downward movement of the rear section 2-.

The adjacent end faces of the sections 1- and -2- above the pivotal pin -7- and recesses 8 are normally disposed in upwardly diverging planes to allow a limited upward rocking movement of the rear section 2 about the axis of its pivot 7, the rear section -2 being of considerably less vertical height than the rear end of the section 1.

The upper portions of the adjacent ends of the sections land 2- are somewhat thicker vertically than the remaining portions and are provided with sockets 10 and 10- for receiving the opposite ends of a coiled spring 11 which is interposed between the upwardly diverging faces of the sections to yieldingly hold the rear section -2- in its normal position with its lower front face 9 in contact with its adjacent abuttin face -9- of the front section -l and at t e same time permitting the rear section -2- to be rocked upwardly and forwardly when necessary as, for example, when inserting and removing the last into and from the shoe.

It is now clear that the walls of the chamber 3- are continuous transversely from end to end of the section 1, all parts of which latter are preferably cast in one unit to form a sole portion -a, an instep portion -a and a vamp portion b having its lower marginal edges integrally united to the outer marginal edges of the sole portion a and insteap portion a-.

The rear section -2- is also cut in one unit to form a heel portion c, a counter portion c, rear quarter portions -d and a top portion -(Z--, the marginal edges of the side quarters -(Z- being integrally united to the heel portion c, quarter portion -c and top portion -d respectively.

Under this construction the rear end of the chamber -3 of the front section and front end of the chamber -4 of the rear section will be open and, therefore, the chambers -3- and 4.- will merge to form one continuous chamber extending from the counter 0 to the toe as b of the last and from top to bottom and from side to side thereof, the main purpose of which is to reduce the weight of the last as a whole and at the same time to facilitate the casting of the sections without expensive coring.

The last constructed in the manner described may be used in the usual way in the manufacture, repair and shaping of shoes with the assurance that it will retain its original form through indefinite periods of time without liability of excessive mutilation or deformation.

If desired the bottom of the last may be provided with apertures -12' in spaced relation along the longitudinal center of the sole, instep and heel for receiving wooden plugs or inserts l2- which, in turn, are adapted to receive the tacks or nails by which the upper of the shoe may be temporarily fastened to the last during its process of construction.

The top of the heel portion may also be provided with a hole 13 adapted to receive a post or other support for the last while the latter is being used in the formation of a shoe.

What I claim is:

1. An all-metal last comprising a hollow front section open at its rear end and having a vamp portion and a continuous solid sole and instep portion uniting the lower marginal edges of the vamp portion, and a hollow rear section open at its front end and having a counter-portion and a continuous solid heelportion uniting the lower marginal edges of the counter portion, the opposite sides of the adjacent ends of the front and rear sections being provided with integral overlapping flanges pivoted to each other, the outer side faces of the outer flanges being flush with the outer faces of the adjacent portions of the sections.

2. An all-metal last comprising a hollow front sect-ion open at its rear end and having a vamp portion and a continuous solid sole and instep portion uniting the lower marginal edges of the vamp portion, and a hollow rear section open at its front end and having a counter-portion and a continuous solid heel-portion uniting the lower marginal edges of the counter portion, the opposite sides of the adjacent ends of the front and rear sections being provided with integral overlapping flanges pivoted to each other, the adjacent end faces of the sections above the flanges being disposed in upwardly diverging planes, a coil spring interposed between sa-id faces for yieldingly holding the heel section in a normal operative position, and means for limiting the movement of said heel section by the spring.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of June, 1928.

CHARLES C. PETERSON. 

